kunitaro

Dear Trotter san, Please don't take my comment personally, I am also trying to share my opinion (and info) with people who studying sword by mainly Internet and books. to make further comment, I must be careful, so, now, i am speaking with an old master polisher in Japan, to get more info, Best regards, PS : BTW. Does someone (in France) know a polisher mr.Kurokawa who lived in France in mid 80' ?

is essential. The spectator must cultivate the proper attitude for receiving the message, as the artist must know how to impart it.

Matt san, Good place to look ! The area is called "Togi-dame” 研溜 You can learn the history of the blade a lot from this area. it is one step higher level of examine. If it is only a few cm machi-okuri, The position of Mekugi-ana is too high. When you put Tsuka, Mekugi will touch Fuchi... (if you see photo of blade with broken tsuka, the position of mekugi ana is right, can not go higher..) If it is only 1 cm suriage, then Yakidashi should remain in the Togi-dame as Chris san mentioned. What do you think ?

Yes 濃州関住後藤兼廣作 Noshu Seki(no)ju Goto Kanehiro saku

Yes, That is the basic Just a small tip for beginner collectors. the buyers can always ask question, so, Ask if the seller GUARANTEE his item as its description, You can ask "Could you guarantee the item, that will receive NBTHK Hozon ?" signed blade and unsigned as well. or for unsigned item, If He descrip age, school or smith,. you can ask Guarantee Hozon paper attribute so, If it doesn't get Hozon, you will get refund, and confirm the condition, so you can buy without risk. If the seller can not guarantee, then you can buy them without expectation. This is common in Japan. also we must remember that most of un-restored items are on sale "as this" because the restoration (and papering) will cost more than its value. also, you should ask same question for items with old papers. Many items (not all) with other papers on sale, because. they could get NBTHK Hozon, If the item has Hozon paper, it doesn't need other papers. Furthermore, If you want to progress fast. Not to buy quickly, save good money, and buy a SIGNED (polished) healthy blade with Hozon paper, and Start/study from there. Wakizashi, maybe a bit Suriage, (at least some parts of signature must be remained, so, Hozon paper guarantee the the blade made by the smith) It is the cheapest and quickest way of studying to reach the standard level. (Standard level : you can recognize Age and school of Unsigned blade, you can judge shoshin/gimei of Signed blade by yourself)

This is maybe better ??? Look at Thickness of Sukashi part. It is about "Niku-oki"

Just my opinion, When you look at Sugata, It looks like Ubu blade, because, the shape of Nakago-jiri, Yes, it is kind of Bizen style. But, When you look near Ha/Mune-machi, There is no Funbari, Not only Ha side, Mune saide also no Funbari, Then, when you look at Sugata of the blade,,,, Also, no funbari...which is meaning it is suspicious "O-suriage"... It is lucky that we can see Hamon at Hamachi (Under the Habaki) When you see the Hamon, there is no Yakidashi, the Hamon goes straight into Nakago. So, This blade is suriage,,, maybe the Mekugi-ana near Nakago-hiri is the original hole... then It is 10-12cm Suriage,,, When you see the Sugata again adding Suriage parts, Imagine Original shape, It looks like 62-63cm a bit Sakizori Katana, so, we can guess, late muromachi Katate-uchi Katana, cut down to Wakizashi. furthermore, you need to polish the blade to recognize the school etc,. however, restoration will cost more than its value....

I am very interested in this translation ! I think it is easy to translate just meaning, such a simple words, but, I don't know how to make it to nice poem in English words with full emotion. How did you do half way ? Kaku sureba - If I do so, Kaku naru mono to Shiri nagara - I know how it will be ending however, Yamu ni Yamarenu - ( I ) can not resist doing so. (be cause of) Yamato-damashii - Spirits of Japan (Yamato) It is about "Justice""Revenge/Redress""Seppiku/Suicide" All of Japanese people (should) have "Yamato-damashii) in them, but, Samurai (5-7% of the population) are the Yamato-damashii itself.

↑ Yashima Catalogue (They are one of the best Tosogu dealer in Japan.) Description 黒褐色の錆色 Brownish black patina 潤い Uruoi (moisture) ネットリ Nettori (smooth/stickish?) 変化のある肉置き Divers Niku-oki Typical ko-Tosho tsuba. However, It is impossible to recognize those description by the photo, To recognize or understand what the meant. You need to have it in your hand to see, touch, and smell, taste etc.. And You need other example to compare... It has Tokubetsu-hozon paper : Mumei Mumon(no design) Ko-Tosho tsuba. so, the quality is kind of guaranteed, people can depend on judgement of NBTHK, and lean from it. If you have Juyo papered Tosho tsuba, you will be able to find same quality piece from Tokubetsuhozon or hozon tsuba, and make it to Juyo by yourself. even you have a chance to find one in the flea market. but, if you have never seen or understanding Juyo quality, you don't know what you are aiming at... you can not depend on someone's opinion..... Is it make sense ?

I think that the price of the tsuba is based on NBTHK Hozon paper which is attributed to KO-Tosho (古刀匠）. This kind of simple tsuba (just plain disc) are existed since beginning till the end. and they are not much artistic value. If dare to say, there is 槌目地 (hummered surface and technique of mimi) which is craftsmanship. If NBTHK Hozon said "Tosho （刀匠）" which is Edo period. the price would be 1/3. I assume that most of dealers/experts are doing Kantei as predicting result of Shinsa. Because, the market is strongly depend on Papers. mr.Mike Yamazaki was saying that "...I was taught that every piece should be judged on its own merits, and by seeing notable great examples, ones eye grows..." at other thread. It is a strong word. Knowledge must come from experience. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16279&start=45 Regarding "Aesthetics" The Book of tea by Okakura Kakuzo http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/tea.htm "Chapter 5, Art appreciation" is explaining well. The sympathetic communion of minds necessary for art appreciation must be based on mutual concession. The spectator must cultivate the proper attitude for receiving the message, as the artist must know how to impart it. It is to be deplored that so few of us really take pains to study the moods of the masters. In our stubborn ignorance we refuse to render them this simple courtesy, and thus often miss the rich repast of beauty spread before our very eyes. A master has always something to offer, while we go hungry solely because of our own lack of appreciation. To understand and appreciate "Wabi/Sabi" we must understand Japanese tea culture. At the time when Teaism was in the ascendency the Taiko's generals would be better satisfied with the present of a rare work of art than a large grant of territory as a reward of victory. Many of our favourite dramas are based on the loss and recovery of a noted masterpiece. For instance, in one play the palace of Lord Hosokawa, in which was preserved the celebrated painting of Dharuma by Sesson, suddenly takes fire through the negligence of the samurai in charge. Resolved at all hazards to rescue the precious painting, he rushes into the burning building and seizes the kakemono, only to find all means of exit cut off by the flames. Thinking only of the picture, he slashes open his body with his sword, wraps his torn sleeve about the Sesson and plunges it into the gaping wound. The fire is at last extinguished. Among the smoking embers is found a half- consumed corps, within which reposes the treasure uninjured by the fire. Horrible as such tales are, they illustrate the great value that we set upon a masterpiece, as well as the devotion of a trusted samurai. Practice 茶の湯 (Cha no yu/Tea ceremony) and Study Japanese for reading original books is may be necessary to compete understanding. as we know "If you want to understand Shakespeare, you must read it in English" in fact, Japanese sword dealers and collectors understand books, but not many of them practice Cha no yu in Japan today. Again, "so few of us really take pains to study..." Okakura said 100 years ago. Furthermore, The tea- masters collected only objects which fell strictly within the measure of their individual appreciation. I think that we are doing same. Another common mistake is that of confusing art with archaeology. The veneration born of antiquity is one of the best traits in the human character, and fain would we have it cultivated to a greater extent. The old masters are rightly to be honoured for opening the path to future enlightenment. The mere fact that they have passed unscathed through centuries of criticism and come down to us still covered with glory commands our respect. But we should be foolish indeed if we valued their achievement simply on the score of age. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/tea.htm

Famous Kunishige, Otsuki Yogoro, I think it is 3rd generation of Kunishige,

Yes, That how he normally signed.

MMM. I know the blade ! That is very beautiful master piece ! It is different from this Kanetsura katana, I don't know much about Gunto, I just thought the SHAPE of the hamon looks like Shinto, not Koto style. @Adam L. That is "Heshikiri Hasebe" Kokuho.

Sorry Mistake, He is registered S18 (1937)

兼貫　kanetsura 中野栄三 Nakano Eizo Hamon is very unique ! The shape of hamon looks like Shinto. still very high, over shinogi at monouchi ! Ichimai-boshi.

I think, 兼玄 (Kaneharu) 戸松直太郎 (Tomatsu Naotaro) 1926-1989

I think that most of un-restore items on market are for sale "as this", because restoration cost will not cover its value. and Collecting or studying Japanese sword is not only for Investment or money game. Being possess of Nihonto as "Soul of Samurai" is different from collecting simply "Work of Art". I think that Samurai sword lover comes to have responsibility to preserve the "Spirits of Samurai" as well, to learn the essence of it and try to train ourself up spiritually higher level.

豊佐作 Toyosuke saku and Navy stamp ?

Otsukare sama deshita, Piers san, It is privilege living in Japan to have opportunity to see such swords. Lighting is not always for sword collectors... pity.. I bring small telescope to see them closer through the glass. Akebono tsuba is displyed itself ? so no koshirae with it ?? and it is good to hear that you liked Sukesada katana ! Yes, I can understand that Master piece of Sukesada is magnificent.

I think that we don't see much blades with Hozon and TK paper together. Because, as both mr.Cris and mr.Paul said, you don't need TK paper if you have Hozon. Most of the sword which has only TK paper, they were already Hozon shinsa in the past. If the sword didn't get Hozon, or got low class attribution, then it will be back on the market with old TK paper with dream. It has been like this for a long time, to be honest, the Tokubetsukicho papers are called "certification of fake" in Japan today.... as we see the market today. the vlaue and price of the sword are strongly depend on Papers. Especially on Internet market, no body can judge real value/quality of the sword with digital photo and description/opinion. so, we can say that it is pity to depend on papers, but, i can understand. in the other hand, Anybody can buy and sell sword with papers, because, there is some guarantee of the quality and value by the authority.

Thank you Paul san, Mine is like this... swords numbered from above...........1 rai/ichimonji...........2 Sukesada...........3 Kiyomaro a) no paper, according to the seller........1. $2-5k.............. 2.$1-2k................3. $2-5K b) NBTHK Tokubetsukicho.....................1.as above.......... 2.as above..............3. as above c) NBTHK Hozon..................................1. $35-45k .......... 2.$3-15K..............3 $150-250K d) NBTHK TH..................................... 1. $35-45k .......... 2. $8-20k............. 3.$200-250k e) NBTHK Juyo....................................1. $45-80K .......... 2.$30-50k.............3.$250-350K f) NBTHK Tokubetsu-Juyo.................... 1.$100-150K.......... 2.$75-120k...........3. $500k- * a) and b) if the seller guarantee Hozon, then the price will be 80% of Hozon price.

We have discussed about it before. "Do you use your nihonto for tameshigiri ?" viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13872

For example... 1) Osuriage mumei/unsigned katana 73cm good condition. attributed as Rai-Kunitoshi or Ichimonji or Norishige, etc. 2) Signed and Dated Bizen Sukesada Katana. 69cm Ubu nakago Good condition. 3) Signed Shinshinto Kiyomaro Katana 75cm, good condition With a) no paper, according to the seller. b) NBTHK Tokubetsukicho c) NBTHK Hozon d) NBTHK TH e) NBTHK Juyo f) NBTHK Tokubetsu-Juyo What is the market Value/price of those swords ?

Good to compare healthy Kissaki/blade and tired Kissaki/blade. and Hada/Kitae/Jitetsu

三方　Sanpo(u) you can find them in the Shinto ceremony.